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The next of the three death certificates ordered this month is for Ann GEERING who I believe to be the sister of my 5x great-grandfather James GEERING.

Ann GEERING died in Hailsham, Sussex on the 2nd March 1864 aged 81 years. Her occupation is given as chemist, which is consistent with her census entries in 1841, 1851 and 1861. Her cause of death is given as enteritis (24 hours). Her death was registered on the 5th March 1864 by Sophia Roberts, who was present at the death.

I don’t know who Sophia Roberts is, whether she is related to the GEERING family or not, so I need to add her to my list of people in Hailsham to research.

There is a Sophia Roberts living in Hailsham in 1861, with her husband Charles and eight children. In the 1851 census Charles and Sophia Roberts are in Hailsham and his occupation is given as orange and nut dealer.

So another possible lead. Is there any significance in the name of informant on this (or James’) death certificate. Only time (and more research) will tell.